Fire Prevention & Protection

Based on SECL HSE Procedure : Fire Prevention (SEM–1822)

SECL HSE Overseas Support Team

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FIRE PROTECTION & PREVENTION INTRODUCTION

There is a significant fire risk on

construction sites owing to the often large

amounts of combustible material present

and the amount of hot work, e.g. grinding,

welding
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PURPOSE

The PURPOSE of this training is to highlight

Fire Hazards and the precautions and
suppression facilities necessary to prevent
fires from occurring or spreading on SECL
Projects to prevent loss of life, serious
injuries and damage to plant, equipment and
structures.
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FIRE PREVENTION & PROTECTION

FIRE is a chemical chain reaction which involves the oxidation of combustible material
, heat & light energy emitted

What is “FIRE Triangle”?

Three main factors are essential to combustion

The presence of FUEL i.e. wood, paper, petrol, etc.

The presence of OXYGEN

Heat
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Principle of Fire Extinguishment
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection
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COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITES

1 Ignorance

2 Carelessness

3 Poor Housekeeping

4 Welding sparks

5 Faulty or wrongly used portable electrical apparatus

6 Sparks from abrasive wheels and metal cutting discs

7 Spread of heavy flammable vapours

(down drains, etc.) to a source of ignition
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COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITES

8 Improper storage between Flammable and Combustible materials

9 Internal combustion engines of site vehicles

(sparks from unprotected exhausts, introduction of flammable
atmospheres into engine intake, etc.)

10 Carelessly discarded cigarette butts (both on the site, generally and in

the site accommodation). Note smoking shall only be permitted in
designated areas on site

11 Wet clothing which has been placed over or fallen upon the heating appliance inte
nded to dry it

12 Use of unsuitable or badly positioned heating appliances

(particularly gas) in accommodation huts

13 Overloading of electrical circuits

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ASSESSMENT OF FIRE RISK

Selecting the right extinguishing medium for

each class of fire is vital

Size of extinguisher and amount of

extinguishing have to be related to highly
variable site circumstances and the degree of
risk as assessed above
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GENERAL FIRE REQUIREMENTS

General standards of site housekeeping should be

carefully watched by all concerned and accumulations of
combustible rubbish are to be minimized and safely
disposed of

All containers of pressurized flammable gas and of

oxygen must be turned off at the cylinder after each
working day, shift and at meal breaks

All welding equipment, flammable gas or oxygen supply

pipes leading into a confined space must be removed to
the open air after each working shift, and at meal breaks
to avoid either flammable atmospheres and/or oxygen
enriched atmospheres
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GENERAL FIRE REQUIREMENTS

Site car parks should feature at least two exits and their
boundaries should be located not closer then 6.0 m to
flammable stores

Materials, vehicles and equipment must be positioned so

as not to obstruct fire fighting activities

All mechanically propelled site plant should carry a

suitable fire extinguisher
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Classification of “FIRE”.

Class ‘A’ Class ‘B’ Class ‘C’ Class ‘D’

Ordinary /
Flammable liquid Reactive metal fire
general/carbonac Flammable gas
fire e.g: Sodium,
eous fire fire
e.g: Gasoline, Oil, Magnesium &
e.g: Wood, Cloth, e.g: Acetylene,
Paints, Thinners, other flammable
Paper, Plastic, LPG
Solvents metals
Rubbers
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Sand Bucket

Fire Water Drum

First –Aid
Fire Beater Fire
Fighting
Portable Fire Extinguisher
Appliances
Fire Reel Hose

Portable / First – Aid Fire Fighting Appliances

means the ‘Trained Person’ will use these
appliances to extinguish the FIRE, before the Fire
Brigade (Fire Tender) reach the site
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Class ‘A’ Fires Class ‘B’ Fires

The best extinguishing agent remains Foam Fire Extinguisher:
1. AFFF
water properly applied, Dry Chemical
(Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
may extinguish the flames but does 2. FFFP
not cool the fire and may not prevent (Film Forming Fluoro Protein)
re-ignition • An advantage of these types of
extinguishers when use on Class ”B”
flammable liquid fire of appreciable
depth, is the ability of the agent to
float on and secure the liquid surface
which helps to prevent re-ignition.

• Where the base of fire is small and can

be enveloped in a cloud of powder,
Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguisher
is quickest and most effective.
However, powder does not reliably
prevent possible re-ignition
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Class ‘B’ Fires

CO2 fire extinguisher is often relatively ineffective unless a

concentrated pocket of CO2 can be created in the area of the
base of the fire, however this type of extinguisher is particularly
suitable for use on delicate equipment, which would be ruined by
use of a Dry Chemical Powder extinguisher.

CO2 is potentially hazardous to the extinguisher user in confined

spaces, being a toxic gas which acts on nervous system
controlling respiration.
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Class ‘C’ Fires Class ‘D’ Fires

Co2 & DCP extinguishers This type of fire is

are used for gas fires. unlikely occur on
•Co2 fire extinguisher is most construction
effective only in confined sites
space gas fire
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

• Fire Extinguishers for Construction Site

Type Old Code BS EN 3 Color Code Fire Class

Water Signal Red Signal Red A

Red with a Cream

panel above the
Foam Cream A B
operating
instructions

Red with a Blue

panel above the
Dry Powder French Blue A (Limited) B C
operating
instructions.

Red with a Black

panel above the
CO2 Black A (Limited) B C
operating
instructions.
Class D Power French Blue D
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ELECTRICAL FIRES

There is no any class for electrical fires If there is any fire on electrical
equipment/wire; switch off power supply then the class of fire depend
on burning equipment/fuel

Dry chemical powder is used for electrical equipment fires

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Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Application of fire extinguisher

PASS System

P Pull the pin

A Aim the nozzle

S Squeeze the handle

S Sweep at base of Fire

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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Frequency It shall be inspected when initially placed in service and there

after approximately 30 days interval

 Location in designated place.

Procedure
 No obstruction to access / visibility
 Operating instruction on cylinder body.
 Safety seals and temper indicator not broken /
missing.
 Examination of physical damage, corrosion, leakage
/ clogged nozzle, worn out hose etc.
 Pressure gauge reading.
 Condition of wheels, hose & nozzle checked
(for trolley mounted).
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

 Maximum travel distance for Portable Fire

Note Extinguisher should not exceeded 50 ft. or
15 meters.
 Maximum height for fixing of Portable Fire
Extinguisher on wall should not exceeded
1.0m height from the floor and clearly signed
Fire Point (Check Client Standard Height).

FIRE There are two types of Fire detectors that are use in Fire
service.
Detectors
Heat Detectors
Smoke Detectors.
Smoke / heat detectors connected to a local Fire alarm
system shall be provided as necessary as practicable to
all offices, ware houses, electrical sub-station, camp
units, etc.
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

FIRE Fire blankets shall be inspected, tested & approved by

blankets Safety Officer / Client
It is found in various types:
Asbestos Fire blankets
Fire Blanket made of Woven Silica fabric
NOTE:
Asbestos blankets are totally banned for use.
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Site Fire Inspection and Patrols

Contractor may organize a suitable after-shift fire

patrol to ensure there is no source of ignition, or
evidence of smouldering fires of any kind present on
site

The patrol must consist of nominated

Supervisors who will carry out systematic
patrols of all areas where they work on site
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Site Fire Inspection and Patrols

The whole of the work area, including work shops and stores
must be inspected to ensure that there is no smouldering waste
like welding sparks, and that all welding equipment has been
properly turned off including oxygen / acetylene supply

A suitable fire patrol log sheet detailing the results of

daily or more frequent site fire patrol inspections should
be kept in the office and should be available for the
Contractor's audit
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Fire Watcher

Smart

Courageous

Patience Quality of
Good Fire
Knowledgeable about the locations of
flammable / combustible materials and Watcher
equipment

Knowledgeable how to operate fire app

liances / equipment and gas monitor
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Fire Watcher

1 Keep an eye with fire extinguisher and pressurized fire hose on a hot work activity

2 Ensure that the fire fighting equipment are in good condition

3 Remove flammable and combustible materials from hot work area

4 Protect with fire blankets all flammable materials from hot work
activity

5 Extinguish fire in case of a fire break out in the early stage of Hot
Work activity

6 Don’t try to extinguish if the fire becomes uncontrollable i.e. always

take calculated risk.
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Fire Watcher

7 Know the position of emergency alarm system (manual / call points).

8 Know how to operate the fire alarm in case of an emergency

9 Remove fire hoses at the end of the work every day

(roll and store them properly)

10 Be familiar with the permit to work system, specific to the site activity

11 Ensure area is safe and no area is smouldering after finishing /

leaving the work location

12 Fire watcher shall remain on site for a minimum of 30 minutes after

the hot work has been completed
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

The following general instructions shall be followed and adhered to

1 Materials and equipment shall be maintained in an orderly manner

that reduces or prevents the possibility of fire spread

2 Materials shall not be stored in a manner that obstructs fire points,

sprinkler heads, alarms, emergency exits, electrical panels and
walkways

3 Materials shall not be stored close to, or in a manner that conceals,

floor openings or hoist ways

4 Consideration shall be given to the Fire loading imposed area which, shall not be o
bstructed by the placement of materials
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

The following general instructions shall be followed and adhered to

5 Doors provided for emergency escape will open outwards in the

direction of travel

6
Equipment shall not be fuelled while the engine is running

7
Smoking is prohibited whilst re-fuelling activities are taking place

8
Incompatible materials will not be stored in proximity to each other

9 ‘No smoking policy’ will be applied. Provide smoking areas away from the work sit
e
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

If a fire occur, immediately carry out the actions listed below

1
Activate the nearest manual alarm

2
Ring site security and give relevant details

3
Site Security to alert Fire Service, Emergency Rescue Team

4 Alert other personnel on site and remove any injured person(s) from
immediate danger
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

If a fire occur, immediately carry out the actions listed below

5 If no personal risk is involved, an attempt should be made to extinguish the fire

using nearest fire extinguisher or hoses

6 Evacuate building/place calmly through designated escape route to

gather at the specified assembly point

7
If in doubt, evacuate the premises and leave fire fighting to the experts

8 Evacuate building following the evacuation procedure

9 Go to designated Assembly Point area

10 Follow instructions
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Fire Prevention & Fire Protection

Some Golden Points:

1 Fire prevention is better than fire fighting

2 Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fire

3 Never use water to extinguish electrical fire

4 In case of emergency activate fire alarm system / dial Fire and

Security Number